U.S. patent application number 13/796393 was filed with the patent office on 2014-09-18 for gravity filter assembly with reusable shroud.
This patent application is currently assigned to Whirlpool Corporation. The applicant listed for this patent is Whirlpool Corporation. Invention is credited to David P. Cooper, Steve Huda, Ginger E. Patera.
Application Number | 20140263099 13/796393 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 51522801 |
Filed Date | 2014-09-18 |
United States Patent
Application |
20140263099 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Patera; Ginger E. ; et
al. |
September 18, 2014 |
GRAVITY FILTER ASSEMBLY WITH REUSABLE SHROUD
Abstract
The present invention includes a gravity filter assembly which
includes at least one filter media positioned about at least one
water inlet pathway. The gravity filter assembly also includes a
base. The base has an engagement mechanism which is configured to
releasably engage a filter media facing side of a liquid
impermeable shroud when a liquid impermeable shroud is positioned
over the filter media. The base is sized to fit within an outer
perimeter defined by at least one perimeter side wall of the liquid
impermeable shroud. Moreover the base includes a top cap section
having an outer surface and a filter media facing surface. The
filter media facing surface receives the top surface of the filter
media. The filter media, base, and top cap section are configured
to be removed and replaced without the use of tools.
Inventors: |
Patera; Ginger E.; (Saint
Joseph, MI) ; Cooper; David P.; (Kalamazoo, MI)
; Huda; Steve; (Shelton, CT) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Whirlpool Corporation; |
|
|
US |
|
|
Assignee: |
Whirlpool Corporation
Benton Harbor
MI
|
Family ID: |
51522801 |
Appl. No.: |
13/796393 |
Filed: |
March 12, 2013 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
210/767 ;
210/232; 210/459 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B01D 2201/4084 20130101;
B01D 2201/4076 20130101; B01D 35/147 20130101; B01D 2201/295
20130101; C02F 1/001 20130101; B01D 29/21 20130101; B01D 35/30
20130101; C02F 2201/004 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
210/767 ;
210/459; 210/232 |
International
Class: |
B01D 29/31 20060101
B01D029/31; C02F 1/00 20060101 C02F001/00 |
Claims
1. A gravity filter assembly comprising: at least one filter media
having a perimeter and configured to remove one or more impurities
from a liquid; a base having a substantially solid center portion,
a peripheral portion about the center portion containing or
proximate one or more liquid outlets, a filter media facing side
that is engaged with the filter media and receives the filter media
within a perimeter defined by at least one upwardly extending
perimeter side wall that extends around at least substantially all
of the perimeter of the base; and a top cap section having an outer
top surface and an opposing filter media facing surface wherein the
filter media facing surface is engaged and receives the top surface
of the filter media such that the top surface of the filter media
is within at least one downwardly extending perimeter side wall
that extends around at least substantially all of the perimeter of
the outer top surface of the top cap section; and wherein the
gravity filter assembly is configured to receive a liquid to be
treated through a liquid inlet on the outer top surface of the top
cap section such that the liquid passes through the liquid inlet,
at least a portion of the filter media, and is dispensed by only
the force of gravity radially outwards the filter media perimeter
and beyond the perimeter the base, or through an outlet within the
peripheral portion of the base.
2. The gravity filter assembly of claim 1 further comprising a
liquid impermeable shroud having an inwardly facing side, a top
surface with at least one aperture therein defining the liquid
inlet and at least one perimeter side wall engaged with the top
surface extending downwardly therefrom and extending around the
perimeter of the top surface wherein the at least one perimeter
side wall has a filter media facing side and an outwardly facing
side and wherein the liquid impermeable shroud fits over the filter
media and into engagement with an engagement mechanism on the base;
and wherein the outer surface of the top cap section engages the
inwardly facing side of the liquid impermeable shroud and the top
surface of the liquid impermeable shroud forming an outlet space
for liquid egress between the base and the liquid impermeable
shroud; wherein the at least one filter media is positioned about
the liquid inlet; the base further comprises an engagement
mechanism configured to releasably engage the inwardly facing side
of the liquid impermeable shroud by hand without the use of tools
when the liquid impermeable shroud is positioned over the filter
media; and wherein the gravity filter assembly is configured to
receive a liquid to be treated through a liquid inlet on the outer
top surface of the top cap section such that the liquid passes
through the top cap section and passes radially through at least a
portion of the filter media prior to being dispensed through the
outlet space.
3. The gravity filter assembly of claim 2, wherein the engagement
mechanism comprises a plurality of offshoots from the upwardly
extending wall of the base wherein the offshoots have a distal
portion that engages the inwardly facing side of the liquid
impermeable shroud and wherein the gravity filter assembly is
substantially cylindrical.
4. The gravity filter assembly of claim 2 further comprising a
reservoir engagement mechanism on an outer top surface of the top
cap section that is configured to releasably and operably engage a
reservoir and extends through the liquid impermeable shroud when
the shroud is positioned over the top cap section, the filter media
and the base.
5. The gravity filter assembly of claim 3, wherein the offshoots of
the base are chosen from the group consisting of curved offshoots
from the wall of the base and linear offshoots from the base and
wherein the offshoots further comprise a substantially
hemispherical-shaped dimple on the impermeable wall engaging
portion of the offshoot and the space between the wall of the base
and the inwardly facing side of the liquid impermeable shroud
define a treated liquid outlet wherein the treated liquid is liquid
that has been filtered by the at least one filter media.
6. The gravity filter assembly of claim 5, wherein the peripheral
portion of the base further includes one or more water outlets.
7. The gravity filter assembly of claim 2, wherein the base is
downwardly tapered from the center portion of the base to the
peripheral portion of the base and wherein the peripheral portion
includes a notch or hole to drain excess water from within the
peripheral portion of the base.
8. A gravity fed water filter comprising: a water impermeable
shroud having a top surface with at least one aperture therein and
a filter media covering wall engaged with the top surface extending
downwardly therefrom wherein the filter media covering wall has an
inwardly facing side and an outwardly facing side; and a filter
core comprising: at least one filter media positioned about at
least one water inlet pathway and having a bottom surface and a top
surface; a base having: a water impermeable shroud engagement
mechanism configured to releasably engage the inwardly facing side
of the water impermeable shroud when the shroud is positioned over
the filter media and into engagement with the water impermeable
shroud engagement mechanism; and a filter media facing side; and
wherein the base is sized to fit within an outer perimeter defined
by the filter media covering side wall of the water impermeable
shroud; and a top cap section having an outer surface with a water
inlet and a filter media facing surface wherein the filter media
facing surface receives the top surface of the filter media; and
wherein the gravity filter assembly is configured to receive water
through the aperture of the top surface such that water is received
within the water inlet pathway of the filter media, passes radially
outwardly through the filter media and dispensed through the space
between the shroud and the base.
9. The filter of claim 8, wherein the filter core is configured to
be disengaged from the water impermeable shroud, disposed of and a
second, unused filter core that is identically constructed to the
filter core is engaged with the water impermeable shroud and
wherein the filter core; the second, unused filter core; and the
water impermeable shroud are configured such that the water
impermeable shroud engages and disengages both the filter core and
the second, unused filter core by hand, without the use of
tools.
10. The filter of claim 8, further comprising an engagement
mechanism on an exterior surface of the top cap section that
releasably and operably engage a water supply reservoir.
11. The filter of claim 8, wherein the outer surface of the top cap
section frictionally engages the inwardly facing side and top
surface of the water impermeable shroud.
12. The appliance of claim 8, wherein the base includes engagement
points extending laterally outwardly from the base that engage the
water impermeable shroud and where a space between the perimeter of
the base and the inwardly facing side of the water impermeable
shroud is a water outlet.
13. The appliance of claim 8, wherein the base has a center portion
that is solid and impermeable to water and the base is downwardly
tapered from the center portion to a peripheral portion about the
center portion and the peripheral portion or a perimeter wall of
the base that extends upwardly from the base further includes a
draining aperture to drain water.
14. The appliance of claim 8, wherein the base has an upwardly
extending wall about the perimeter of the base and the engagement
mechanism comprises a plurality of curvilinear or perpendicularly
extending portions that project outwardly from the upwardly
extending wall of the base that engage the inwardly facing side of
the liquid impermeable shroud when the shroud is positioned over
the filter core.
15. A method of filtering water comprising the steps of: providing
a gravity fed water filter comprising: a water impermeable shroud
having a top surface with at least one aperture therein and a
filter media covering wall engaged with the top surface extending
downwardly therefrom wherein the filter media covering wall has an
inwardly facing side and an outwardly facing side; and a first
filter core comprising: at least one filter media positioned about
at least one water inlet pathway and having a bottom surface and a
top surface; a base having: a perimeter; a water impermeable shroud
engagement mechanism; and a filter media facing side; and wherein
the base is sized to fit within an outer perimeter defined by the
filter media covering side wall of the water impermeable shroud;
and a top cap section having an outer surface with a water inlet
and a filter media facing surface wherein the filter media facing
surface receives the top surface of the filter media; placing, by
hand and without the use of tools, the water impermeable shroud
over the first filter core such that it covers the filter media and
comes into frictional engagement with the water impermeable shroud
engagement mechanism; engaging the inlet of the top cap section of
the first filter core with a water source; filtering water received
by the inlet to form filtered water; dispensing the filtered water
out an outlet defined by the space between the base and the water
impermeable shroud into a treated water reservoir.
16. The method of claim 15, wherein the step of filtering water
includes passing water from the inlet radially outwardly through
the filter media and all of the steps are completed by hand and
without the use of tools.
17. The method of claim 15 further comprising the steps of:
disengaging the gravity fed water filter assembly from the water
source by hand and without the use of tools; and disengaging the
water impermeable shroud from the first filter core by hand and
without the use of tools.
18. The method of claim 17 further comprising the steps of:
providing a second filter core comprising: at least one filter
media positioned about at least one water inlet pathway and having
a bottom surface and a top surface; a base having: a water
impermeable shroud engagement mechanism; and a filter media facing
side configured to receive the filter media; and wherein the base
is sized to fit within an outer perimeter defined by the filter
media covering side wall of the water impermeable shroud; and
placing, by hand and without the use of tools, the water
impermeable shroud over the second filter core such that it covers
the filter media and comes into frictional engagement with the
water impermeable shroud engagement mechanism.
19. The method of claim 15, wherein the filter media facing side of
the base and the filter media facing surface of the top cap section
are both adhesively engaged with the filter media.
20. The method of claim 15 further comprising the step of
dispensing the treated water from the treated water reservoir and
into a beverage container for consumption and wherein the base
further comprises an upwardly extending wall about the perimeter of
the base.
Description
BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0001] One aspect of the present invention includes a gravity
filter assembly that includes at least one filter media, a base and
a top cap section. The at least one filter media has a perimeter
and is configured to remove one or more impurities from a liquid,
typically water. The base has a substantially solid center portion,
a peripheral portion about the center portion that typically
contains or is proximate one or more liquid outlets. The base also
has a filter media facing side that is typically adhesively engaged
with the filter media and receives the filter media within a
perimeter defined by at least one upwardly extending perimeter side
wall that extends around at least substantially the entire
perimeter of the base, more typically around the entire perimeter
of the base. The top cap section has an outer top surface and an
opposing filter media facing surface. The filter media facing
surface is typically adhesively engaged and receives the top
surface of the filter media such that the top surface of the filter
media is within at least one downwardly extending perimeter side
wall that extends around at least substantially the entire
perimeter or the entire perimeter of the outer top surface of the
top cap section. The gravity filter assembly is configured to
receive a liquid to be treated through a liquid inlet on the outer
top surface of the top cap section such that the liquid passes
through the top cap section, at least a portion of the filter
media, and is dispensed by only the force of gravity through an
outlet defined by a space beyond the perimeter of the filter media
and beyond the perimeter the base or an outlet within the
peripheral portion of the base.
[0002] Another aspect of the present disclosure is generally
directed to a gravity fed water filter. The gravity fed water
filter typically includes a water impermeable shroud having a top
surface with at least one aperture therein and a filter media
covering wall engaged with the top surface extending downwardly
therefrom wherein the filter media covering wall has an inwardly
facing side and an outwardly facing side and a filter core. The
filter core typically includes: at least one filter media
positioned about at least one water inlet pathway and having a
bottom surface and a top surface; a base having a water impermeable
shroud engagement mechanism configured to releasably engage the
inwardly facing side of the water impermeable shroud when the
shroud is positioned over the filter media and into engagement with
the water impermeable shroud engagement mechanism and a filter
media facing side; and a top cap section having an outer surface
with a water inlet and a filter media facing surface where the
filter media facing surface receives the top surface of the filter
media. The base is typically sized to fit within an outer perimeter
defined by the filter media covering side wall of the water
impermeable shroud. The gravity filter assembly is configured to
receive water through the aperture of the top surface such that
water is received within the water inlet pathway of the filter
media, passes radially outwardly through the filter media and
dispensed through the space between the shroud and the base.
[0003] Yet another aspect of the present disclosure is generally
directed to a method of filtering water comprising the steps of:
(1) providing a gravity fed water filter that has: a water
impermeable shroud having a top surface with at least one aperture
therein and a filter media covering wall engaged with the top
surface extending downwardly therefrom wherein the filter media
covering wall has an inwardly facing side and an outwardly facing
side; and a first filter core. The first filter core typically
includes at least one filter media positioned about at least one
water inlet pathway and having a bottom surface and a top surface;
a base having: a perimeter; a water impermeable shroud engagement
mechanism; and a filter media facing side; and wherein the base is
sized to fit within an outer perimeter defined by the filter media
covering side wall of the water impermeable shroud; and a top cap
section having an outer surface with a water inlet and a filter
media facing surface wherein the filter media facing surface
receives the top surface of the filter media; (2) placing, by hand
and without the use of tools, the water impermeable shroud over the
first filter core such that it covers the filter media and comes
into frictional engagement with the water impermeable shroud
engagement mechanism; (3) engaging the inlet of the top cap section
of the first filter core with a water source; (4) filtering water
received by the inlet to form filtered water; (5) dispensing the
filtered water out an outlet defined by the space between the base
and the water impermeable shroud into a treated water
reservoir.
[0004] The method of the present disclosure also typically includes
the steps of disengaging the gravity fed water filter assembly from
the water source by hand and without the use of tools; disengaging
the water impermeable shroud from the first filter core by hand and
without the use of tools; providing a second filter core that is
typically constructed like the first filter core, more typically
identical to the first filter core. The second filter core
typically includes: at least one filter media positioned about at
least one water inlet pathway and having a bottom surface and a top
surface; a base having a water impermeable shroud engagement
mechanism and a filter media facing side configured to receive the
filter media where the base is sized to fit within an outer
perimeter defined by the filter media covering side wall of the
water impermeable shroud; and a top cap section. The method of the
present disclosure may also include the step of placing, by hand
and without the use of tools, the water impermeable shroud over the
second filter core such that it covers the filter media and comes
into frictional engagement with the water impermeable shroud
engagement mechanism.
[0005] These and other features, advantages, and objects of the
present invention will be further understood and appreciated by
those skilled in the art by reference to the following
specification, claims, and appended drawings.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0006] The present invention will now be described, by way of
example, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:
[0007] FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view of the gravity filter
assembly having the liquid impermeable shroud removed to further
illustrate the filter core;
[0008] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the assembled gravity filter
assembly;
[0009] FIG. 2B is a bottom view of the assembled gravity filter
assembly;
[0010] FIGS. 3A-C are perspective views of multiple aspects of the
base of the gravity filter Assembly;
[0011] FIG. 4 is an exploded view of a gravity filter assembly
according to an aspect of the present disclosure;
[0012] FIG. 5 is an exploded view of an alternate aspect of the
gravity filter assembly;
[0013] FIG. 6 is an exploded view of an alternate aspect of the
gravity filter assembly;
[0014] FIG. 7 is an upper left perspective view of the filter
arrangement in an appliance;
[0015] FIG. 8 is a bottom right perspective view of the filter
arrangement in an appliance; and
[0016] FIG. 9 is an exploded perspective view of the filter
arrangement in an appliance.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0017] For purposes of description herein, the terms "upper,"
"lower," "right," "left," "rear," "front," "vertical,"
"horizontal," and derivatives thereof shall relate to the invention
as oriented in FIG. 1. However, the invention may assume various
alternative orientations, except where expressly specified to the
contrary. Also, the specific devices and processes illustrated in
the attached drawings and described in the following specification
are simply exemplary embodiments of the inventive concepts defined
in the appended claims. Hence, specific dimensions and other
physical characteristics relating to the embodiments disclosed
herein are not to be considered as limiting, unless the claims
expressly state otherwise.
[0018] FIG. 1 generally illustrates a gravity filter assembly 10
which includes a liquid impermeable shroud 12 and a filter core 14.
The liquid (water or other untreated liquid) impermeable shroud 12
typically has a top surface 16 with at least one aperture 18. While
the shroud may have more than one aperture on the top surface, i.e.
two, three, four, or more, typically, there is a single aperture 18
defined by the inner edge 20 of the top surface 16. The inner edge
20 may include one or more notched sections 22 that are typically
of a pattern that or shape that allows the notches to receive and
allow one or more engagement tabs 24 of the filter core to project
through the top surface 16 of the liquid impermeable shroud 12. The
shroud 12 also has at least one perimeter side wall 26 engaged with
the top surface 16 of the shroud 12 and extending downwards
therefrom. While preferably one perimeter side wall of tubular
shape (circular or substantially circular cross section) is used,
the shroud 12 may have any number of sides and cross-sectional
shapes. Typically, the cross-sectional shape is designed to match
the general cross-sectional shape of the filter core 14 such that
the filter core 14 is matingly and snuggly received within the
shroud 12. The cross-section of the liquid impermeable shroud could
be (1) square such that the shroud has four equal width (and
typically equal length) sides; (2) rectangular; (3) triangular; (4)
oval; (5) diamond; or (6) conceivably other cross-sectional shapes
as well. Moreover, each of the at least one perimeter sidewall 26
has an inwardly facing side 28 and an outwardly facing side 30. The
shroud 12 is typically a solid extruded or molded plastic piece. It
is typically unitary, but could also be comprised of more than one
component such as two halves that snap-fit or are otherwise engaged
with one another.
[0019] As discussed above, the gravity filter assembly 10 also
includes a filter core 14. The filter core 14 typically includes at
least one filter media 32 is typically located circumferentially
about at least one water inlet pathway 34. The filter media 32 also
has a bottom surface 36 and a top surface 38 (see FIGS. 4-7). The
filter media is generally an immobilized activated carbon or other
filter/treatment media embedded in an absorbent cellulose fiber
material. The absorbent cellulose fiber material typically has a
fiber diameter of from about 50 nanometers to about 30 microns and
more typically from about 15 microns to about 30 microns. An
exemplary filter media 32 uses KX Technologies' FACT.RTM. media,
but filter material from other suppliers or various other
filter/treatment materials may be used. The typically used overall
filter media configuration is one that has a cylindrical, hollow
core that receives an inflow of water from the water inlet with a
plurality of rectangular prism-shaped protrusions 40 projecting
radially outward about the cylindrical core of the filter media 32,
or a pleated filter media configuration.
[0020] The filter core 14 also includes a base 42. The base 42
typically has a liquid impermeable shroud engagement mechanism 44
configured to releasably engage the inwardly facing side 28 of the
liquid impermeable shroud 12 when the shroud 12 is positioned over
the filter core 14 and into engagement with the liquid impermeable
shroud engagement mechanism 44. Typically, as shown in FIG. 4, the
liquid impermeable shroud engagement mechanism 44 employs a
plurality of offshoots or extensions 48 that extend outwardly from
the base perimeter 50 beyond the perimeter of the base. Typically,
the offshoots 48 are curved, but could also be linear or
substantially linear sections extending outwardly from the
perimeter of the base perpendicularly or within about five degrees
of perpendicular to the base. Such configurations are not typically
employed for manufacturing and durability reasons compared to the
more typically relative used and employed curved offshoots. On the
outwardly facing surface of the offshoots a rounded dimple or other
engagement point 52 is typically provided that operably engages
inside surface 28 of shroud 12 to frictionally retain the shroud in
engagement with the base. Other attachment schemes, such as mating
interlocking components forming a compressed or snap fit may also
be employed, which are preferably attachable and removable by hand.
The engagement points 52 also serve as spacers to define an outlet
space where treated water is allowed to flow out of the gravity
filter assembly. This configuration allows the shroud 12 to be
retained, but readily disengagement from the base by the user, by
hand and without the use of tools when the filter cores need to be
replaced with another substantially identical or identical filter
core. The shroud 12 can be readily disengaged and reengaged with
the same or different filter core 14.
[0021] The base 42 has a filter media facing side surface which is
configured to receive the filter media 32. The base 42 also
includes at least one engagement support protrusion 56 extending
inwardly from the engagement mechanisms 44. These support
protrusions 56 function to center and restrict radial movement of
the filter media 14 and secure the media 14 into place. The support
protrusions are typically only used when the engagement mechanism's
outer facing surface is curved as shown in the drawings. The base
42 is typically sized to fit within an outer perimeter which is
defined by at least one perimeter side wall 26 of the liquid
impermeable shroud 12. The base also has a filter media facing
surface 64 and an outer surface 66. The base has a center or
interior portion 68 and a peripheral portion 70 around
center/interior portion 68.
[0022] As shown in FIG. 1, the filter core 14 typically also
includes a top cap section 58. The top cap section has an outer
surface 60 and a filter media facing surface 62 and a water
reservoir engagement mechanism 72, which is described in more
detail in United States Patent Application Publication No. US
2012/0067803 A1, the entire disclosure of which is hereby
incorporated by reference. The individual components of the filter
core 14, the at least one filter media 32, the base 42, and the top
cap section 58 are typically engaged with one another by one of
more waterproof non-toxic adhesives, in particular polyethylene.
The base 42 may be adhered to the filter media 32 by a glue wall
disposed around the perimeter of the interior portion 68 of the
base 42. The filter media facing surface of the top cap section 62
receives and engages the top surface 38 of the filter media 32 and
the outer surface of the top cap section 62 engages the inwardly
facing side 28 of the top surface 16 of the liquid impermeable
shroud 12. The top cap section 58, as shown in FIG. 1, includes a
plurality of engagement tabs 24 to engage the liquid impermeable
shroud 12 by receiving the liquid impermeable shroud's top surface
16 when the shroud is placed over the filter core 14. The
engagement tabs 24 rotationally engage the basin filter engagement
system 74 of a water basin 76. The top cap section 58 is configured
with the water basin engagement mechanism 74 in order to engage the
gravity filter assembly 10 with an appliance or water dispensing
system or basin 66.
[0023] Alternatively, the filter assembly 10 may be assembled using
thermal bonding. During the thermal bonding process, the top cap
section 58 and the base 42 are installed in a fixture (not shown)
with the filter media 32 placed separately between them. The top
cap section 58 and the base 42 are then heated up to a degree high
enough to cause the plastic to become fluid or soft. The fixture
then brings the base 42 and the top cap section 58 to the filter
media 32 suspended between then and the filter media 32 is bonded
to the top cap section 58 and the base 42.
[0024] FIGS. 8 and 9 show how gravity filter assembly 10 comes into
engagement with the appliance or water supply system 76. The
gravity filter is inserted into engagement with the basin filter
engagement system by hand and without the use of tools such that
the engagement tabs 24 rotate such that the lip 78 fits within the
inside cavity portion 80 of the generally C-shaped engagement tabs
24. An O-ring 82 is typically used to facilitate a water tight seal
between the gravity filter 10 and the basin 76. A by-pass disk 82
may be employed that rotates to allow water flow from the basin to
flow through apertures 84 in both the filter engagement system and
the by-pass disk when a gravity filter is engaged. The by-pass disk
rotates as the filter 10 is installed (also typically by rotating)
such that the apertures in the filter engagement system and by-pass
disk align or substantially align or otherwise allow water
flow.
[0025] The gravity filter assembly 10, as shown in FIG. 1, is
capable of having the entire filter core 14, which includes the
filter media 32, top cap 58, and base 42, be removed and replaced
by hand without the use of tools. Also, the filter core 14 is
removable and replaceable without replacing the entire gravity
filter assembly 10 with the liquid impermeable shroud 12 as is the
case in prior filter assemblies. This provides a more
environmentally friendly overall gravity filter assembly 10.
[0026] The gravity filter assembly 10 is configured to receive
water, typically from a basin 76 within an appliance, a water basin
generally, or from an appliance water dispenser, through an
aperture 34 in the top cap section 58 such that water is received
into the hollow core 46 of the filter media 32 and passes radially
outward through the filter media 32 and is then dispensed through
the outlet space 86 (FIG. 2b) between the shroud 12 and the base 42
and into a treated water reservoir basin 88 where the water is
stored before being dispensed to a user. Any excess water may also
be drained through small base apertures 90 on the base.
[0027] FIG. 2A shows the liquid impermeable shroud 12 engaged with
the top cap section 58 and the base 42 (FIG. 2B) of the filter core
14. As shown in FIGS. 2A-B, the top cap section 58 of the filter
core 14 fits through the aperture 18 on the top surface 16 of the
liquid impermeable shroud 12. Moreover, the liquid impermeable
shroud 12 operably and releasably engages the engagement tabs 24
located on the outer surface 60 of the top cap section 52. The tabs
24 are received in notched sections 22.
[0028] FIGS. 3A-3C show different optional aspects of the base
portion 42 of the gravity filter assembly 10. FIG. 3A shows the
base portion 42 having a plurality of circular base apertures 90
located on the upwardly extending wall/lip portion 92 of the base
adjacent to the engagement or spacer mechanisms 24. FIG. 38 shows
another embodiment of the base 42 in which the apertures 90, which
are typically circular, but could be any shape are located on the
bottom of the base 42. FIG. 3C shows these apertures 90 not
circular in shape, but having a rectangular slotted shape. These
are meant to be exemplary embodiments only and these apertures 90
may be in various different shapes, sizes, and arrangements. The
apertures function to drain excess water from the base that might
otherwise stagnate within the base 42 due to the walls 92 of the
base 42.
[0029] FIG. 4 shows an exploded front perspective view of the
gravity filter assembly 10 as shown in FIGS. 2A-B. Moreover, FIG. 4
shows the filter media 32, the base 42, and the top cap section 58
which includes a plurality of engagement tabs 24.
[0030] FIG. 5 shows the same exploded view of FIG. 4 with an
alternate embodiment of the base 42. In the center of the base
portion 42, is a raised portion 94 which engages with the filter
media 14 in order to hold the filter media 14 in place. In this
figure, the raised portion is a cylindrical post. This raised
portion 94 may be a slim post; a cylinder, as shown in FIG. 5;
conically shaped, as shown in FIG. 6; or any other shape one of
ordinary skill in the art would use to help secure the filter media
32 to the base 42. The raised portion 94 may also function to
increase water flow from the filter media 32 into the base 42 where
it is then released through the outlet space 86 and/or base
apertures 90. The raised portion would typically be constructed to
matingly engage the hollow core of the filter media 46 and
typically would be of minimal height. Moreover, in a separate
embodiment, or combined with any of the previous base embodiments,
the raised portion 94 may cover some or up to all of the filter
media facing surface of the base. The base 42 may be tapered to
angle the water into a desired direction.
[0031] The water pathway begins in the water supply system 76,
shown in FIG. 8, and enters the inlet 34 through the top cap
section 58 and into the filter media 32, using gravity, where the
water is then filtered and dispensed into the gravity filtered
water reservoir/basin 88. The water is stored until being dispensed
to a user out the piping/water pathway 96 and into a beverage
container 98. The piping may extend to a dispenser in the door of
the appliance accessible from outside the appliance by the
user.
[0032] Other variations and modifications can be made to the
aforementioned structures and methods without departing from the
concepts of the present disclosure. These concepts, and those
mentioned earlier, are intended to be covered by the following
claims unless the claims by their language expressly state
otherwise.
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